The Waimate Trail – Te Ara Waimatemate

Walk, run or cycle The Waimate Trail

There’s a new way to explore Waimate District.

The Waimate Trail – Te Ara Waimatemate is a walk/run/bike trail taking you from Waimate through farmland and native bush towards Waihao Forks.

Stage One is nearly complete. Around 10km of trail is currently open from Waimate to Arno Hall, giving you a roughly 20km return ride, walk or run.

You can start in Waimate or join the trail from the carparks at Studholme Bush Reserve or Arno Hall.

The final 3.6km from Arno Hall to Waihao Forks is still under construction and is not yet open to the public.

Once complete, Stage One will run approximately 13.6km from Waimate to Waihao Forks.

The Waimate Trail – what's open

Waimate → Studholme Bush Reserve | 3.5km
Start on Queen Street in Waimate and follow the trail signs onto Mt John Road.

Studholme Bush Reserve → end of Studholme Bush | 2.5km
Open and rideable along a hard grass track following the old railway corridor. Further track upgrades are planned.

End of Studholme Bush → Kapua Swamp | 1.8km
Complete and open.

Kapua Swamp → Arno Hall | 1.8km
Complete and open.

Arno Hall → Waihao Forks | 3.6km
Under construction – not yet open to the public.

Before you head out

Public toilets are available in Waimate. Parts of The Waimate Trail cross working farms and private land, so please stay on the trail and follow all signs, including restrictions on dogs, horses, motorbikes and vehicles.

When Stage One opens in full, you’ll be able to walk or cycle all the way from Waimate to Waihao Forks – where a country pub lunch and the story of Ted d’Auvergne’s famous bottle await. Which seems a rather good reward for getting there under your own steam.

The Waimate Trail map

The Waimate Trail is being developed in three stages. The map below shows the full planned route, with Stage One – from Waimate to Waihao Forks – marked in orange.